X-Ray Tube Reprocessing – How is it done?
What to do if there is oil leakage from X-Ray tube or arcing? X-ray tube needs to be vacuum sealed so as to function properly. Any air bubbles inside the tube head can lead to arcing in the tube. Arcing could cause short-circuits and damage the X-Ray tube. An x-ray tube which is beginning to arc can be saved from complete damage by x-ray tube oil refilling, in other words, tube reprocessing.
Housing cracks, oil leaks or tube arcing are common problems with X-Ray tube.
The most common x-ray tube repair involves replacing the oil inside the tube housing and removing any air, gases, particles that could cause arcing. This helps re-establish vacuum inside the tube and increase the strength of the insulation as well as the dielectric.
Function of X-Ray Tube Housing and Oil
The x-ray tube lies within a metal protective housing called the tube housing. The X-ray housing is filled with oil and vacuum sealed. The oil is essentially a dielectric (usually oxidization inhibited transformer oil). The x-ray housing and oil
- prevent X-rays from being transmitted in all directions,
- provide suitable high voltage insulation and
- function as a coolant for the tube/system.
Oil is used as a coolant in the head to help remove heat that is generated when x rays are produced. Cracks in Tube Housing may lead to oil leak and further damage to the X-Ray Tube. The dielectric oil must provide high voltage insulation to prevent arcing from all high voltage surfaces. If oil leaks develop, that usually means, air has leaked in to the housing. This may cause air entering the high voltage field area and result in arcing. Some arcing in tubes and housing is common, but if arcing continues, carbon from disintegration of the oil will begin to coat tube surfaces.
So, what needs to be done if oil is contaminated with air and other impurities? The oil containing absorbed gasses must be removed and the x-ray tube oil refilling must be done under vacuum.
Tube reprocessing involves replacing the oil inside the tube housing and removing any air, gases, particles that could cause arcing to re-establish vacuum inside the tube and increasing the strength of the insulation. This tube reprocessing could extend life of the tube by 20-50% more. This extra life means that a reprocessed tube could even fetch about half of a new tube cost. The tube insert remains the same.
Facility needed for X-Ray tube Oil refilling
For x-ray tube oil refilling, you need a complete pump station set-up as shown in the image above. An x-ray tube is not supposed to be open to atmosphere, so as to avoid contamination due to moisture & other contaminants. First you would vacuum down the tube and then pump the oil in vacuum. Final testing is done of the X-Ray tube under vacuum by checking for any air leaks before refilling it with oil and setting the bellows. The x-ray tube needs to be vacuum sealed to remove all air. Air bubbles can cause arcing in the tube.
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